Odisha Budget 2011-12: A popular Budget?

The finance minister of Odisha, Prafulla Ghadai has presented the Budget 2011-12 on February 19 in the sate assembly. The state government has presented Rs.46,047.75 crore budget for 2011-12.

The impact of the budget - the durable goods in the state would cost more, whereas the food items like will be cheaper from April 2011, as those will be exempted from entry tax. The finance minister has proposed to hike the VAT (Value Added Tax) on durable goods like ACs,Cars, refrigerator, hardware, television, tobacco, and mobiles, from 12.5 per cent to 13.5 per cent.

The state government will get additional of around 150 cror rupees from the hike in the VAT, whereas the cut in the entry tax would mount to loss to the tune of around 20 to 25 crore rupees.

Considering the food inflation figures, the measures to bring down the price in the state would be a people friendly concept. And the people those are going to pay the additional VAT on electronic items never consider this a friendly or popular budge one.